Sending supplies to Finland:what to write on customs form?

[radler]

I’m sending a mask that didn’t work for me to a friend in Finland. I used it a couple of times so it’s technically used, so I assume the price would be lower. What exactly do I write on the forms??? What is the used value? I feel like technically it should be zero but I don’t want to do anything wrong. I don’t want to be dishonest hut I don’t want it to get confiscated or stuck forever! I’m also sending some filters. My friend does have a prescription but obviously I’m not an authorized DME or anything, and it’s used so I don’t want her getting hit with huge fines for the value of a new mask.

Can I just include an invoice for a very low cost I charge my friend and list the mask as “for parts” or “for training/research purposes” since you’re not supposed to use secondhand masks? I don’t ship internationally much so I have no idea what to put on these forms. Thanks for any help!

[Pugsy]

When I send masks internationally I mark it as a gift and declare a nominal value and that's it.
Used CPAP mask...value maybe $5 and it's a gift. I have never been questioned about it but if I was I would just say that is what it is worth to me.
Don't send anything like an invoice that has a price on it.
Used is used....opened package makes it "used" even if not actually used over night. Used is used no matter how many nights it might have been used.

The only time I ever heard of customs being a problem was with a used humidifier for a S9 machine that went to Brazil.
They decided to attach some sort of fee to it but even with the fee attached and paying postage it was still about half what they cost in Brazil.

[rick blaine]

Hi radler,

1. The whole world over, the price of a used anything is what someone is willing to pay for it – or what someone is willing to sell it for. In other words, you can set the price at whatever you want.

You can set the value of a gift as one penny or one cent. But it may be more acceptable to the customs officer who processes your gift if you assign that gift a price which is not next to nothing, but is not an arm and a leg.

So tell Finland Customs the mask plus filters is worth, in your opinion, 40 Euros. Because ...

.. this will make it exempt from custioms duty. Finnish customs say: "A person who receives a gift must declare it (clear it through customs) and pay any import duties due in the following circumstances: the value of the gift is more than 45 euros."

2. Then, type this up these words and attach the paper they are on securely to the outside of your parcel. And do not let them be obscured by any postage stamps or mailing label used by the shipping company.

"TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

I am a private individual sending these goods to another private individual as a gift and without receiving any payment.

The consignment is of an occasional nature.

The consignment only contains goods intended for the personal use of the recipient.

The nature or quantity of the goods does not imply any commercial intent.

The value of these previously-owned goods is 40 Euros."

And add, in type: <your name>
And then sign it.

3. The source for this info is:

https://tulli.fi/en/private-persons/rec ... rom-abroad

I have found with customs people that, most days, they just want to get the job done. And if you include the kind of wording above, it shows you have read their rules and regs AND you respect their process AND your so doing invites a positive response.